Pak lawyer files review petition for more concessions for Dr Khan

Published: Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 14:32 [IST]

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Islamabad, Jul 23 (UNI) A Pakistani lawyer has filed a petition seeking a review of Islamabad High Court's judgment restraining Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan from making statements on the issue of nuclear proliferation.

In its judgement on a habeas corpus petition moved by Khan's counsel Iqbal Jafree on Monday, the court had barred Dr Khan from speaking on the issue but allowed him to meet his relatives and travel within the country after security clearance.

The three-page handwritten review petition in Urdu, which was filed yesterday, requested the court to declare that Dr Khan was a free citizen. It said the restriction on giving media interviews on proliferation of nuclear technology appeared to be unnecessary. It also requests an early hearing of the case.

"The media has also assured us that in compliance with the directions of the court they will not attribute any statement to Dr Khan about the proliferation of nuclear technology," the petition said.

It said the government had not responded to a list provided by Dr Khan of his relatives and friends whom he wanted to meet.

The petition sought a declaration that if the government failed to respond to a request for a visit by a relative or friend within 24 hours then the person should be allowed to meet Dr Khan if the latter so desired.

Though Dr Khan was not a party, the petition said, it was his desire that he should be freed from 'detention' to the pre-2004 position.

"Dr Khan believes that he has been victimised and coerced with the slapping of unprecedented and unnecessary restrictions," local media reports said, quoting excerpts from the petition. The responsibility of his security rested entirely with the government.

It should also be declared that Dr Khan was free to offer prayers in a mosque close to his house, visit any library for research and establish contacts with any educational institutions after informing the authorities, the petition said.